All because humans had been granted divine favor, born with wisdom surpassing that of soul beasts, and because the God Realm suppressed the beasts, humans had become the rulers of the Douluo Continent. And with that, they dared to openly insult soul beasts as "animals"?
If bloodline nobility were the standard, then the fierce beasts of the core region all carried the legacies of ancient, exalted lineages—far superior to Yan Shaozhe, this so-called ninety-fifth level Bright Phoenix Soul Master.
Yan Shaozhe, unaware of Jiang Qingtong's thoughts, turned back to reassure Bei Bei:
"Bei Bei, don't worry. Dragon-type soul beasts aren't only found in the Star Dou Forest. We'll return tomorrow, and if we still can't find one, we'll go elsewhere."
Bei Bei could only nod in agreement, though inwardly he felt unsettled. Why did it seem as though so many things were aimed against him?
Why? Why is it always like this?
He couldn't make sense of it, and naturally, Jiang Qingtong had no intention of telling him.
The moment he set his sights on her after Tang Ya's departure, his tragedy had already been sealed.
Of all people to choose—he chose her?
The group returned to Shrek Academy. On the edge of the forest's outer region, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion poked out its head, watching the departing figures. Its gaze lingered on Jiang Qingtong.
From the side, the Scarlet King emerged and said in a low voice:
"Auspicious Beast, let's return to the core region. This place isn't safe. If that human Super Douluo spots us, it will be trouble."
"Scarlet King, you mean you can't defeat him?" the Three-Eyed Golden Lion asked in return.
Hearing the question, the Scarlet King shook its three heads and replied:
"He's only level ninety-five, so fighting him wouldn't be a problem. But if I engaged him, I wouldn't be able to guarantee your safety, Auspicious Beast. Your well-being is what matters most."
"Tell me," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion tilted its head, still staring after Jiang Qingtong, "what if I went to study at Shrek Academy?"
The Scarlet King was so stunned it nearly let all three of its canine faces twist into caricatures. Shock and disbelief filled all six of its eyes as it hastily shook its heads.
"Absolutely not!"
"Why not?" the Auspicious Beast pressed.
The Scarlet King explained helplessly:
"That's Shrek Academy! Even though that human Ultimate Douluo is dead, there's still a ninety-eighth rank powerhouse there. If he discovered you, it would be dangerous!"
"But I'm the Auspicious Beast," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion argued. "In human form, no one could see through me—not even an Ultimate Douluo. Besides, I have a responsibility to understand humans, to plan for the future of us soul beasts. Don't you agree?"
The Scarlet King was thrown into confusion by this reasoning, stammering:
"But… but still—absolutely not! If you went, when Di Tian returns, he would kill me!"
At those words, the Auspicious Beast lowered its head. Before leaving with the Scarlet King to return to the core region, it cast another look at Jiang Qingtong—and then at Wang Dong'er beside her. Quietly, it murmured:
"No… I must go."
"Hm? Auspicious Beast, what did you say?" The Scarlet King hadn't heard clearly, turning back in confusion.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shook its head. "Nothing. Scarlet King, I won't let Di Tian kill you."
Hearing this, the Scarlet King sighed in relief, thinking the Auspicious Beast had finally come to its senses and abandoned its fixation on Shrek Academy.
The next day, Yan Shaozhe once again led Bei Bei into the Star Dou Forest. As expected, under Bi Ji's orders, not a single ten-thousand-year soul beast appeared in the outer region. They came up empty-handed.
By now, Yan Shaozhe was certain the fierce beasts were interfering behind the scenes. Yet he couldn't very well march into the core region and demand they hand over ten-thousand-year soul beasts.
As for leading Bei Bei into the inner region to hunt—while not impossible, stepping into the inner region would inevitably cross the fierce beasts' bottom line.
It had been less than half a year since Mu En's pact with Di Tian. To the fierce beasts, that was practically yesterday. Their vigilance was still at its peak.
To avoid unnecessary conflict, Yan Shaozhe chose not to trespass further. Instead, he led Bei Bei away from the Star Dou Forest and toward other soul beast habitats in search of dragon-type beasts.
But the outcome was predictable: nowhere rivaled the quality of the Star Dou Forest's soul beasts. Not even the Extreme North or the Evil Demon Forest had populations as thriving and pure.
While dragon-type beasts did exist in those places, their quality was far inferior.
Not long after Yan Shaozhe and the others departed, Du Bushi arrived with a Titled Douluo whom Di Tian had sealed, seeking Jiang Shengyu to remove the seal.
Looking at Du Bushi and the sealed Douluo, Jiang Shengyu asked,
"Senior, did you go to the Sun Moon Empire?"
At that, Du Bushi nearly jumped in outrage. "You brat! What are you suggesting? Do you doubt this old man would deceive you? I, the Body Douluo, would never stoop to such a thing! You little…"
Seeing him so angry, Jiang Shengyu hurried to appease him:
"Look at you, senior! I was just asking. Of course I trust that with your reputation, you wouldn't deceive me. Ah, by the way, how's my cousin's talent?"
Jiang Shengyu had special channels of communication with the Sun Moon Empire. He already knew about Du Bushi's matters there from messages Meng Hongchen had sent.
Du Bushi snorted, clearly reluctant but still admitting:
"His talent is truly rare in this world. If you let me take him back to the Body Sect, within twenty years I'm confident I could cultivate him into an Ultimate Douluo with a Body Martial Soul! Do you understand what that would mean?"
Jiang Shengyu shook his head. "I don't. But whether Yuhao goes with you isn't up to me. You'll have to ask him yourself."
"Hmph! Ask him?" Du Bushi fumed. "I've told him more than once—if he comes with me, the position of the next sect master of the Body Sect will be his! And yet he ignores me completely! Honestly, if not for the clarity in his eyes, I'd suspect you lot had fed him some kind of bewitching soup!"
"We don't do that," Jiang Shengyu said with a shake of his head.
Only Shrek would resort to such things.
Du Bushi waved him off. "Enough! No more nonsense. I've fulfilled my part of the deal—now it's time you lift the seal on my man."
Jiang Shengyu nodded, then added with a sly grin:
"Of course. But… could you turn around, Senior?"
At this, Du Bushi's beard bristled and his eyes bulged. "You damn brat!"
Still, curses aside, he did turn around.
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